Sake Restaurant, The Rocks

Have been to Sake three times in the last couple of weeks, and never seem to get around to giving it a mention.   This would have to be my favourite restaurant at the moment.  And with our new apartment, it's literally a five minute walk away!  Shame it's a bit difficult to get into.

Amazing dining room, extraordinary food, great sake - what more could you want.  We have to stop ourselves from going back all the time in case we get sick of it!

Serving very contemporary Japanese cuisine, Executive Chef Shaun Presland (was at Ivy Teppanyaki)

 and his Head Chef Adam Lane (David Thompson's Nahm and Nobu in London) are to be applauded.  They have been awarded a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chef's Hat each year since they opened in 2009.

My favourite dishes of all are:

Kingfish Japaneno - Hiramasa Kingfish, Yuzu Soy, Thin Jalapeno Slices & Coriander.

Steamed Prawn Dumplings - Chinese inspired Shumai with Spicy Ponzu.   Amazingly delicious.  In fact we ordered a second serve!

Butterfish Lettuce Cups - Grilled Miso Marinated Butterfish in Lettuce Cups.

Popcorn Shrimp - Prawn Tempura Pieces Tossed with Creamy Spicy Sauce.  Sounds rich, but the dash of lime makes it so light.

White-Soy Snapper - Thin slices of Sashimi Snapper Topped with Sesame Seeds, Chives, Yuzu Juice & White Soy Dressing.

Also recommend Tonkatsu Cups - Panko Fried Pork Belly & Spring Onion Bites, served in Lettuce Cups with Mustard Miso & Japanese Barbeque Sauce.

But basically you can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

Just make sure you don't book the 'sunken tables' - extremely difficult to get into and out of, particularly if you are wearing something short!

Obviously that didn't dampen our appetite, because the dessert tasting selection was completely over the top, but fabulous.  And finished off with an Expresso Martini - as you do!

Can't recommend this restaurant highly enough.  Excellent service, excellent food, excellent surroundings and buzz.
10/10

Friday Lunch at Neild Avenue

 Been wanting to try this restaurant for ages, so spur of the moment and in the area, decided to give it a go.  Very busy even for a late lunch, so we were offered a seat at the bar.  Fine with us, keep our eye on the busy bar staff.   I must admit that after a short time it was a bit uncomfortable balancing on these wobbly backless stools. But I  do like the decor - especially for such a huge warehouse space (200 seats) that used to be a tyre factory.

We've been to one of Maurice's Terzini's restaurants three weeks in a row, something we told him when he approached us.  He was literally speeding!  His Head Chef, Robert Marchetti and he are definitely on a roll.

Really don't like the  Kirrily Johnson's uniforms at all.  Very daggy.  And Maurice looks likes he's slept in his.

I can't say I'm a fan of Mediterranean food, but - knowing these guys...!

The service was very efficient.  We were offered water, wine and given the most delicious barbequed flat bread I have ever tasted. 

We then shared the Cauliflower Fritters with Chilli, Parsley, Garlic on Cumin and Yoghurt Sauce.  Really light and lovely flavours - bit like popcorn Cauliflower.   Forgot to get a photo of this dish though.

I had to try a Kebab from the Coal Spit.  The barbeque smell was amazing, and the flash of fire from the kitchen was irresistible.  These are described as "all hand-minced kebabs, served with Afghan flat bread, Cracked Wheat and Bell Pepper Paste, Grilled Green Chilli, Sumac Onion Salad and Hung Yoghurt".   So I ordered the Minced Veal, Lamb, Chilli Spices Kebab.  Very nice - not too much.

Hal couldn't resist the Half Free Range Crispy Duck, Aylesbury Cross Pekin Dutton Park, Young, NSW, marinated in Roasted All Spice, Cinnamon, Star Anise.

It was delicious - tender and juicy with a very crisp skin. I'm just not a big fan of Star Anise, and it really stood out for me.  But Hal just loved the dish.

We had to have the Fries, of course.  But they were a little disappointing - overfried -  and lost their heat too quickly.

We also ordered the Any Village Salad, Pearl Onions, Sun Dried Olives, Tomato, Cucumber, Fennel, Green Peppers, Barrel-aged Feta, Dried Oregano and Fresh Dill.  But someone forgot the Pearl Onions, which was the main reason I ordered this.  And the Feta was pretty full on.

Nice lunch.  Don't think I would rush back.
7.5/10
 

restaurants three weeks in a row, something we told him when he approached us at the bar.  He was running at a great speed!!!

Saturday lunch at Icebergs

This really is our favourite restaurant.  Even on a rainy grey day in Sydney's supposed Summer!

Having just found out that a rental we had our hopes pinned on had gone, we needed a good very Dirty Martini in the lovely cocktail lounge.

We were then shown to our favourite table by the window with a banquette.  Sitting there watching the huge swell and all the surfers was just amazing.  It really is a lovely dining room.

We just had to start with the crispy fried Gamberetti with the best Aioli ever, eaten whole of course.

We then shared the Ravioli al Marchigiano - Ravioli Filled with a Five Hour Ragu of Pork & Veal in a Burnt Butter & Sage Sauce, Finished with Black Truffle Pecorino.  Amazing.

Hal had the Risotto, Coral Trout, Oregano, Tomato - which he thought was perfect.

I had what I believe was Hoki in a Sorrel, Parsley, Lemon Butter Sauce.  It was very hard to understand the Italian waiter, and initially the fish sounded like Hakapau, but it was a New Zealand fish and one of several on the list of variety specials for the day and I suspect it was Hoki.  I wanted something not too firm.  The fish was perfectly cooked and just what I felt like, and the small side salad was sooo tasty and sharp.  The sauce was served on the side so you could add as much or as little as you wanted.

We had to have their very special French Fries.  Impossible to ignore,

and the Peas, Basil, Lemon, Fetta Salad.  I love this salad, and again, impossible not to order.

All washed down (so to speak) with a delicious red - Parker Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007.

Hal being Hal (especially if the word meringue is included) had to order the Saffron Meringue, Lemon Curd, Sheep’s Yoghurt, Chianti Poached Strawberries, Gelato.  Looked and tasted fabulous and very light.  The meringue was incredible and filled with the Lemon Curd.  We didn't eat the rose petals though.  The poached Strawberries were very unusual, but lovely.

Again - another fabulous lunch.  Still my favourite restaurant in Sydney.  Highly Recommended.
10/10

Saturday lunch at North Bondi Italian

We were again looking at rental properties when a car park became available right outside the North Bondi Italian, we just had to take it as a sign we were supposed to have lunch here.  It's usually impossible to park here.

Been here several times before.  Great view of Bondi beach on a busy and hot sunny Saturday - one of few in Sydney this summer.  Quick and efficient service.  Good food.

The simple name really says it all - Italian fare served above an iconic stretch of coast. North Bondi Italian Food doesn't try to be anything more than that, but with Maurice Terzini as one of the owners and the uber-sophisticated Icebergs Dining Room as its sibling, this eatery can't help but be good.    The space is filled with bright yellow chairs and simple unclothed tables - the menu is the placemat, while enormous pleated lampshades hang above diners like '50s rock 'n' roll skirts. Features such as recessed trays built into tables to store the cutlery reinforce the family-friendly, beachy attitude.   Chef Robert Marchetti's menu is similarly simple and laidback.

 We ordered the Whitebait blackboard special to start - beautifully cooked, plump and moist with a lovely Aioli;

Followed by "Not a Carpaccio -Bruschetta" (Cubes of Raw Bonito, Yellow-fin Tuna, Char-grilled Sour Dough, Marjoram, Chilli).  Fresh and tasty, although I did find the sourdough very difficult to eat because of the extra crisp crust.

I ordered New Season "REAL' NT Wild Barramundi Fillet with a Fine Salad of Lime, Fennel, Cabbage, Mint and a Hint of Chilli.  I'm not a fan of Barramundi, but seeing as how it was 'real'....  It was beautifully cooked with crunchy skin and the salad was a standout.  Good choice.

Hal ordered the "80's Classic" Baked Milk Fed Veal Scaloppine, Smoked Ham, Mushroom Duxelle, Fontina Cheese.  Rich but delicious, although he believes they forgot the cheese as he saw someone else with the same dish and it appeared that the cheese was on top.

Of course we had to add the Crispy Potatoes, Garlic, Rosemary.  Bit too crunchy for me.

Lovely location, good service, good food, not too expensive.  Recommended.
8/10

Impromptu Lunch at Toko Restaurant

Popped into Toko Restaurant - 490 Crown Street, Surry Hills whilst searching for a rental property in the area.  I would love to live around here.  Been meaning to try this restaurant for so long.  There is another in Oxford Street Paddington.  Deserves a try too.  NZ Chef and Gordon Ramsay trained - Head Chef Regan Porteous serves modern Japanese.

We were in a hurry, so ordered several small dishes, starting with San Ten (Chef's Selection of Sashimi - 3 variations - 9 pieces) - served on shaved ice, with a large piece of ice looking like a sculpture.  Tuna, Salmon and Redfish.  Soo fresh and beautifully presented.

We also ordered Gyu Niku Gyoza (Wagyu Beef Gyoza, White-Soy Mustard, Shiso).  Really delicious.  Then Ebi Tempura (Crispy Prawn Tempura, Dashi Broth) and Shoga to Shoyu de Tsuketa Amiyaki Dori ( Spicy Soy-Ginger Chicken Leg) - lovely flavour, moist and moorish.

Bit slack on the photos - too hungry and too out of practice!

But highly recommended.  We will return.
8/10

I Heart Hudson Meats

Hudson Meats are fabulous.   Either Lane Cove or Cammeray.   We have never been disappointed in their meat.  We bought these Grass Fed Sirloin steaks at the Cammeray store on Saturday.  I insisted on big fat steaks and the butcher called me over to ask if I really would eat a steak that big - to which I replied "even if I don't, they cook better when they are that size".  Apparently I made his day.    Some time later I went back to get a bottle of chilled sparkling mineral water which no-one else had, and he insisted I not pay because I had bought 'those' steaks.

They were absolutely delicious by the way.  Tender, rare, tasty - the real deal.  They were NOT cheap, but worth every penny.

Recommended!